Category: Uncategorized

The Brazoria County Democratic Party proudly congratulates Quentin Wiltz, the first Democratic‑endorsed candidate in decades to win the office of Mayor of Pearland, the 15th‑largest city in Texas — and the city’s first Black mayor. This historic victory reflects the strength, vision, and integrity Quentin brings to public service and the trust Pearland voters have placed in him.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers, contributors, and community members who worked tirelessly to help voters see Quentin for the great leader he is. Your dedication, conversations, and countless hours of effort made this moment possible.

Positive change is never easy. It demands diligent work, active engagement, and shared commitment from all of us — in our neighborhoods, civic spaces, and every election. This victory shows that Pearland and Brazoria County are ready for change, but realizing that promise will take effort, grit, heart, and yes, resources to carry this same energy into November both at the ballot box and in city hall.

We also recognize and thank the many outstanding candidates who stepped forward to serve. Their courage, dedication, and commitment to our community embody the very best of public service, and we are proud to stand with each of them.

We extend our warm congratulations to Toni Carter, Pearland ISD Trustee Position 1; Jason A. Albert, Manvel Councilmember Place 5; Margaret Madariaga, Iowa Colony Councilmember Position 1; Arnetta Murray, Iowa Colony Councilmember Position 2; and Marguette Greene‑Scott, Iowa Colony Councilmember Position 3 on their victories. Their leadership will strengthen our communities in meaningful ways.

Our county also continues to need the passion and service of leaders like Faynetta (Fay) Burrle, T’Liza Kiel, Melanie Oldham, Toshila McLean, and Azania Salazar, and we deeply appreciate each of them for giving their all in this election. Their willingness to step forward reflects a commitment to community that deserves recognition and gratitude.

Together, we celebrate this milestone and recommit ourselves to building a better, fairer future for all.

— Brazoria County Democratic Party

P.S. If you’d like to help us keep this momentum going, consider making a contribution to support our year‑round voter engagement and community outreach efforts. Every bit truly helps us continue this work.

Judicial elections in Texas give voters direct power over the judges who shape how justice works at every level of daily life.

Because Texas elects nearly all of these judges in partisan elections, voters play a decisive role in ensuring the courts are fair, competent, and reflective of their community’s values.

Justice of the Peace

A Justice of the Peace (JP) is one of the most community‑focused elected officials in Texas. JP courts handle small civil disputes, traffic and fine‑only cases, evictions, truancy matters, and key early steps in the criminal justice process such as issuing warrants and setting bail. JPs can also perform weddings. In Brazoria County—where there is no Medical Examiner—the Justice of the Peace is additionally responsible for conducting inquests and determining cause of death in certain situations. Because their decisions affect housing stability, school attendance, and everyday interactions with the justice system, this office has a direct impact on families and neighborhoods.

Candidates: William Cook (JP Pct. 1, Plc. 2), Shenequa Harrison (JP Pct. 2, Plc. 2), Mark Wright (JP Pct. 3, Plc. 2), Stephanie Baird (JP Pct. 4, Plc. 2)

County Court Judges

A Brazoria County Court Judge handles many of the everyday legal matters that directly affect residents, serving as a key part of the county’s justice system. These judges oversee probate cases, guardianships, misdemeanors, juvenile matters, and certain civil disputes, ensuring that local cases are resolved fairly and efficiently. They also manage administrative responsibilities within their courts and work closely with county agencies to keep the justice process moving. Because so many cases stop at the county level, these judges play an essential role in how justice is delivered across Brazoria County.

Candidates: Matt Muller (County Court at Law, No. 2)

Judge, Court of Appeals Districts

Reviews civil and criminal appeals from across its multi‑county region, ensuring trial courts follow the law and setting legal interpretations that guide how justice is applied in Texas.

Chief Justice 15th Court of Appeals Candidate: Jerry Zimmerer

Justice, 15th Court of Appeals, Place 2 Candidate: Tom Baker

Justice, 15th Court of Appeals, Place 3 Candidate: Marc M. Meyer

Chief Justice 14th Court of Appeals Candidate: Sarah Beth Landau

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 7 Candidate: Michael Adams-Hurta, William Demond

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3 Candidate: Veronica Rivas-Molloy

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 4 Candidate: Julie Countiss

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 5 Candidate: Amy Guerra

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

Courts of Appeals review trial‑court decisions across large regions, setting legal interpretations that guide how laws are applied for millions of Texans. This is Texas’s highest criminal court, reviewing appeals in serious criminal cases and issuing final statewide rulings that shape criminal justice and legal precedent

Candidate, Place 3: Okey Anyiam

Candidate, Place 4: Audra Riley

Candidate, Place 9: Holly Taylor

Justice, Supreme Court

The Texas Supreme Court is the court of last resort for all civil and juvenile cases in Texas, made up of a chief justice and eight justices elected statewide to six‑year terms. It reviews decisions from the Courts of Appeals, sets binding precedent on issues like property rights, contracts, and constitutional questions, and oversees the State Bar of Texas, attorney licensing, and statewide civil court procedures.

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2 Candidate: Chari Kelly

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 Candidates: Kristen Hawkins, Gordon Goodman

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 Candidate: Gisela D. Triana

Chief Justice, Supreme Court: Cory L. Carlyle, Maggie Ellis

Enjoyed this resource? Support the Brazoria County Democratic Party
If this information was helpful, consider leaving a small tip to support the grassroots work happening across Brazoria County. Your contribution helps us inform voters, train volunteers, support candidates, and strengthen our democracy here in Brazoria County. Every bit fuels the organizing that keeps our community moving forward.

Federal elections shape the laws, funding, and national policies that directly affect life in Texas. The leaders Texans send to Washington decide issues like healthcare, immigration, energy policy, disaster relief, infrastructure funding, veterans’ services, and public education support. They also influence who serves on federal courts, which interpret laws that impact voting rights, environmental protections, business regulations, and civil liberties across the state.

TX Congressional Races

Texas congressional races determine who will represent the state in Washington and help shape national policy on issues like healthcare, immigration, energy, and federal funding. Members of Congress also hold significant oversight and investigative powers, allowing them to examine federal agencies, review government programs, and bring national attention to issues that affect Texans.

District 14 Candidates: Richard H Davis, Thurman Bill Bartie
(Community Impact Interview)

District 22 Candidate: Marquette Greene-Scott
(Community Impact Interview)

District 36 Candidate: Rhonda Hart

US Senator

Represents their entire state in Congress, writes and votes on federal laws, and approves key national appointments.

Candidate: James Talarico

Enjoyed this resource? Support the Brazoria County Democratic Party
If this information was helpful, consider leaving a small tip to support the grassroots work happening across Brazoria County. Your contribution helps us inform voters, train volunteers, support candidates, and strengthen our democracy here in Brazoria County. Every bit fuels the organizing that keeps our community moving forward.

The Texas state government creates and enforces the laws that shape life across the state. The Legislature writes and approves laws and the state budget, the Governor leads the executive branch and carries out those laws, and the courts interpret them within the statewide judicial system. Together, these branches oversee public education, transportation, public safety, health services, natural resources, and the many state agencies that serve Texans every day.

Once you select your candidates, remember to visit our elections page to find polling locations, sample ballots, and more. Early voting starts February 17th.

Texas State Representatives

A Texas State Representative is one of 150 members of the Texas House, elected every two years to write state laws, shape the budget, and serve their district. Representatives introduce bills, serve on committees, help residents navigate state programs, and hold unique powers like originating revenue bills and initiating impeachment. District 25 and 29 represent Brazoria County.

District 25 Candidate: Mike Meadors
District 29 Candidate: Karen Reeder

Texas Senate District 11

Texas Senate District 11 is represented by one of 31 state senators who write state laws, shape the budget, and serve communities in Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris counties. Senators serve four‑year terms, work on key committees, and help residents navigate state agencies.

Candidate: Shannon Dicely

State Board of Education
District 7

The Texas State Board of Education sets the policies and standards that guide public education statewide. It decides what students learn by adopting curriculum standards, approves textbooks and instructional materials, sets graduation requirements, oversees the multibillion‑dollar Permanent School Fund, and reviews new charter school applications.

Candidates: Debra Drake Ambroise, Tiffany Perkinz

Commissioner of Agriculture

The Texas Agriculture Commissioner oversees the state’s agriculture, food safety, and rural development programs, supporting farmers, enforcing consumer protection laws, and helping keep Texas’s food system stable and strong.

Candidates: Clayton Tucker

Commissioner of the General Land Office

The Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office (GLO) oversees the state’s public lands and major revenue that funds public schools, manages coastal protection and energy leases, administers veterans’ programs and the Alamo, and leads key disaster recovery efforts that shape Texas’s long‑term resilience.

Candidates: Benjamin Flores, Jose Loya

Texas Comptroller

The Texas Comptroller serves as the state’s chief financial officer, managing taxes, revenue estimates, and state investments. The office also oversees key small‑business taxes and now runs the state’s private‑school voucher program, giving it major influence over both tax policy and how public dollars flow to private schools.

Candidate: Sarah Eckhardt

Texas Railroad Commissioner

The Texas Railroad Commissioner regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, natural gas utilities, pipelines, and surface mining. Despite the name, the office no longer oversees railroads. The Commission sets and enforces safety rules, monitors drilling and production, protects land and water from industry impacts, and oversees pipeline and gas utility safety across Texas.

Candidates: Jon Rosenthal

Attorney General

The Texas Attorney General is the state’s chief legal officer, responsible for representing Texas in civil court, defending state laws, and providing legal advice to state agencies and officials. The office issues formal legal opinions, oversees consumer protection and child support enforcement, and handles major lawsuits involving the state. While the Attorney General has limited criminal authority, they may assist local prosecutors when requested.

Candidates: Joe Jaworski, Nathan Johnson

Lt. Governor

The Texas Lieutenant Governor is one of the most powerful officials in the state. They preside over the Texas Senate, appoint committee chairs and members, decide which bills move forward, and cast tie‑breaking votes. The Lt. Governor also helps shape the state budget as co‑chair of the Legislative Budget Board and serves on key bodies that influence policy and redistricting. If the Governor is unable to serve, the Lt. Governor steps in as acting Governor.

Candidates: Courtney Head, Vikki Goodwin, Marcos Isaias Velez

Governor

The Governor of Texas serves as the state’s top executive, charged with implementing state laws, proposing budget priorities, overseeing major state agencies, and commanding the Texas Military Forces during emergencies. The governor can approve or veto bills, issue executive orders, call special legislative sessions, and fill certain vacancies through appointments. This role carries significant influence over statewide policy and long‑term direction, especially through appointments to key boards and commissions.

Candidates: Bobby Cole, Gina Hinojosa, Chris Bell, Carlton W. Hart, Patricia Abrego, Andrew White (Ended Campaign), Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Zach Vance

Enjoyed this resource? Support the Brazoria County Democratic Party
If this information was helpful, consider leaving a small tip to support the grassroots work happening across Brazoria County. Your contribution helps us inform voters, train volunteers, support candidates, and strengthen our democracy here in Brazoria County. Every bit fuels the organizing that keeps our community moving forward.

As the federal government shutdown stretches past critical funding deadlines, Brazoria County families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are bracing for a painful disruption. Texas Health and Human Services has confirmed that if the shutdown continues past October 27, November SNAP benefits will not be issued statewide — a decision that could leave 3.5 million Texans, including 1.7 million children, without essential food support. This is in addition to federal workers who are also experiencing paycheck disruptions.

During the shutdown, food pantries are critical lifelines — helping families bridge the gap left by delayed SNAP benefits, paychecks, and rising need.

Whether you need assistance or are in a position to offer it, you’ll find local organizations and resources listed below. We’ll keep this list current as new opportunities and updates come in.

Houston Foodbank
Website: houstonfoodbank.org
Email: info@houstonfoodbank.org
Phone: ((832) 369-9390
Upcoming Events: The Houston Food Bank will be holding special distributions for households that are current SNAP recipients and will have a delay in their benefits beginning November 1st, and for federal workers and their families who are not receiving paychecks due to the government shutdown. You MUST pre-register for these distributions. Click here to register for a Houston Food Bank special distribution.

Christian Helping Hands
Website: christianhelpinghands.org
Email: info@christianhelpinghands.org
Phone: (281) 485-9776
Upcoming Events: CHH is organizing a Holiday Harvest Food Drive, November 1st, 9 AM to 3 PM at 4305 Magnolia Parkway

Pearland Neighborhood Center
Website: pnctexas.com
Email: info@pnctexas.com
Phone: (281) 485-1987

Brazoria County Dream Center – Dream Pantry (Clute)
Website: bcdreamcenter.org
Email: info@bcdreamcenter.org
Phone: (979) 388-0280
Upcoming Events: Southern Brazoria County Democrats will be taking collections during their November 22nd Meeting at 10 AM in the Brazoria County West Annex. Requests for canned meats, soups, holiday foods (boxed stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.) for Thanksgiving.

Brazosport Cares Food Pantry (Freeport & Sweeny)
Website: brazosportcares.org
Email: bpcares@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (979) 239-1225
Upcoming Events: See https://www.brazosportcares.org/bpcevents

With November SNAP benefits stalled and future long-term cuts locked in under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), please call on Congress to act. The OBBB legislation slashes more than $186 billion from SNAP over the next decade, expanding requirements and shifting costs to states — changes that disproportionately impact children, seniors, and working families.

Residents can contact their elected officials to urge action. Sharing personal stories — whether as recipients, volunteers, or concerned neighbors — can help underscore the urgency.